Joe Mantegna's Main TV Roles

Main Movie Roles

Guest TV Roles

[none found]

BIOGRAPHY:

An Italian American, Mantegna was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1947 to Mary Anne (Novielli), a shipping clerk from Acquaviva delle Fonti Italy, and Joseph Anthony Mantegna, Sr., who worked in insurance sales and died in 1969 of tuberculosis. Mantegna was raised Catholic and attended J. Sterling Morton High School East in Cicero, Illinois. He studied acting at the Goodman School of Drama at DePaul University in from 1967 to 1969. While still a young man in Chicago, he played bass in a band called The Apocryphals which later played with another local group The Missing Links, who went on to form the band Chicago. Mantegna is still very close to the original members of Chicago, and keeps in touch with his old band mates as well.

TRIVIA:

Was considered for the role of Det.Joe Fontana on _"Law & Order" (1990)_ (qv).

Was 'Robert B. Parker' (qv)'s personal pick to play Spenser in _"Spenser: For Hire" (1985)_ (qv) (before 'Robert Urich (I)' (qv) was cast in the role).

He was awarded the 1984 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play for "Glengarry Glen Ross" at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.

1978: Debuted on Broadway in "Working". He also helped write "Bleacher Bums", an award-winning play. The Los Angeles production of "Bums" ran over five years.

He was nominated for a 1974 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Actor in a Principal Role for his performance in "The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit" at the Organic Theater Company in Chicago, Illinois.

He was a classmate of 'Walter Parazaider' (qv) of 'Chicago (I)' (qv), which is also Mantegna's favorite band.

Longtime personal friend of 'Roger Ebert' (qv).

Has been assured by _"The Simpsons" (1989)_ (qv)' casting director that he will be the only person to voice the character Fat Tony - however, the character had a different actor for his short appearance in "A Fish Called Selma".